New Robots Developed To Climb Walls

An anonymous reader writes "SRI International, a nonprofit research and development organization, has developed a new technology that enables some robots to scale walls. The wall-climbing robots could be a boon for the US military, which could use them on reconnaissance or other missions in war zones, said Philip von Guggenberg, director of business development for SRI International, adding that the independent group has received some funding from DARPA, the technology research arm of the Pentagon. Von Guggenberg said that the new electrical adhesive technology called compliant electroadhesion, provides an electrically controllable way to stick machines to a wall. So what can they do? That adhesion lets the robots, using either feet or tracks, scale a vertical wall. They can even climb walls covered in dust and debris, or made out of concrete, wood, steel, glass, drywall, and brick. Good news is that regular robots, especially those with tracks, can be retrofitted with the technology and turned into wall climbers. Maybe if the kids are good, they'll get one for Christmas."

Comments

Re:Gecko feet

[Ksevio]

They said it doesn't work very well on damp surfaces which is when you need the most grip with a car so it wouldn't be very useful for that application.

Re:Add window washers to the list

[Anonymous Coward]

Here you go: Window cleaning robots...

Hmm.

[phreakincool]

"In the future: human wall climbing: For uses ranging from Special Forces needs to exterior window-cleaning "
Superhero uniform check-list:

1 - Full-body/form fitting unitard: check

1 - Ski Mask to hide my secret identity: check

1 - No shame what-so-ever: check

6 - Electroadhesive robotic thingys for hands, knees, and feet: working on that

Print version

[Nullav]

Here's the print version for those who don't want to scroll constantly because of the massive ad-walls.
Really, I don't mind ads, but use them tastefully.

Re:Easier way!

[GrievousMistake]

Why the hell would they link to PC World, anyway? Popular Mechanics has a video, The Register has a entertaining writeup, and SRI's site has pictures, a diagram and some specs. All PC World has is tons of ads.